Articles
Thus It Fulfilled - Matthew 28
Matthew 28 Thus It Fulfilled What Was Written
A reoccurring thought in Matthew is that the life of Jesus ‘fulfilled what was written’. Some of these events were fulfilled in ‘types’ and some were direct fulfillments of specific events. Thus Jesus is proclaimed to be the Messiah - the promised anointed one. In particular we would note that He fulfilled several of major prophetic statements of the Old Testament.
When Adam and Eve sinned, God had promised that one from the seed of woman would defeat Satan. From the beginning of the gospel we see Satan attempting to thwart the mission of Jesus. From the killing of the babies to the crucifixion, Satan tried. He tempted him - but failed. He succeeded in having Him crucified only to see Him raised from the dead and glorified in heaven. Thus it fulfilled what was written….
The great promise that one of Abraham’s seed would bring blessing to all nations sees its fulfillment in Jesus (see Genesis 12). The opening verse related Jesus to being the ‘son of Abraham’ (Matt. 1:1). While Jesus primarily deals with the Jewish people in his teaching and life, we do get glimpses of gentiles being blessed by Him. With the resurrection however, He becomes the king of kings and Lord of lords with all authority in heaven and earth. The disciples then are commissioned to teach the story of Jesus to ALL NATIONS. Thus again, it fulfilled what was written.
When David attempted to build a house for the LORD, God forbid it and promised instead to build a ‘house for David’. God promised that when David was dead and in the grave, that He would raise up a son who would be given the throne of David and who would rule by the power and authority of heaven (cp. 2 Samuel 7). Again, Matthew opens his gospel by showing that Jesus is the promised son of David (Matt. 1;1). As He comes into Jerusalem for the final time, the people greet him by shouting: "Hosanna to the Son of David; Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord; Hosanna in the highest!“ (Matt. 21:9). When crucified, the sign over his head read: “Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews”. Upon his resurrection, He had all authority in heaven and earth and became King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Thus it fulfilled what was written.
Jesus is the fulfillment of the eternal purpose of God in overcoming sin and Satan and thus restoring mankind to a right relationship with God. From the beginning God explained what He was doing and how He would bring about salvation. All of that culminates in the life, death, resurrection, and glorification of Jesus. In Him, Satan is defeated, the blessings of heaven are available unto all people, and believers are in the kingdom of God’s dear son - the son of David, the son of God. Hugh DeLong
